Free Make Me Stay by Ella Jade Page B

listed on her driver’s license was my house. You didn’t do your homework.”
    “Son of a bitch,” Cade said. “You knew I was looking for her?”
    “Luckily for me, your PI travels in the same circles as I do. He approached me and told me someone was looking for my sub. He thought she might be in danger. It was my responsibility to keep her safe.”
    “But you’re still a presence in her life. How can she move forward if you’re still involved?’ Cade didn’t care what Martin had done for her. He didn’t want Gracie to rely on anyone other than him for the rest of their lives.
    “I don’t plan to be involved forever,” Martin said. “But I couldn’t send her here not knowing how you’d react to her. I couldn’t trust you wouldn’t turn her away or hurt her again. I may have given her the tools to get here, but she came back to you because it was what she’d always wanted. I knew that from the very first day I met her.”
    “You probably know her better than I do.” Cade hated to admit that, but it was true. “I don’t know if I can be what she needs.”
    “Have you asked her?”
    “Asked her? She’s so damn busy trying to figure out what I want all the time she forgets about herself. She frigging asks me if she can come.”
    Martin smiled.
    “I know that’s your thing, but sometimes I just want to have sex and not be in command.”
    “These are the things you need to discuss,” Martin said. “It’s clear you’re not looking for a twenty-four-seven arrangement, but from what she’s told me, you do like to dominate.”
    “She’s so comfortable in her submission. What if I’m not Dom enough for her? What if I disappoint her?”
    “If all she wanted was a Dom she could have stayed with me. She wants you. The rest you can work out, but you need to be honest. Is Gracie who you want to be with? Can you handle her submissive side without taking advantage of it? Can you learn to find a balance between dominating her and loving her?”
    “I’ve always loved her,” Cade said. “She’s easy to love.”
    “Yes, she is,” Martin admitted. “She’s a smart, strong, independent woman too. Don’t let her submissive side fool you.”
    “You know her so well.”
    “So do you.” Martin nodded toward the house. “You just have to get acquainted with the woman she’s become. Has Gracie told you I’ve offered to help?”
    “Yeah, that’s part of the reason I walked out of here a few days ago. I couldn’t wrap my mind around that.”
    “But you came back. Have you rethought her request?”
    Gracie had already done so much for him. He never would have asked her to submit to Martin if he was given the opportunity. But she’d done it anyway, and she’d done it for Cade. He wanted to be as devoted to her as she was to him. He loved her with everything he had. He came back today because he wanted to find a way to make their relationship work.
    “I don’t know. I want to make her happy. She deserves that from me, but having another man in the bedroom with us really isn’t my deal.”
    “Yeah.” Martin laughed. “I don’t really have to be in the bedroom with you. Perhaps if you would have given her the opportunity to explain, you’d know that I would help you with the contract and the checklist. I’d help you set up limits and establish boundaries. I’d also make myself available for you.”
    “For me?” Cade wasn’t sure why Martin would do this. “Why?”
    “I already told you I’d do anything for her. You’re who she wants, but I can’t allow you to hurt her. You’re not a Dom, but I think you have potential. I could mentor you.”
    “Is there a program for that?”
    “You’d be surprised what you’ll find in the community. In my club, support for both Doms and subs is very important. I don’t take abuse lightly, and I take emotional stability very seriously.”
    “Gracie was lucky she found you. I was wrong to demand she walk away from you. I have a lot to